On
April 10, a group called No Somos Delito or We Are Not a Crime,
projected a hologram of protesting marchers filing in front of the
Parliament building in Madrid. For the time being, virtual protests in
the form of holograms are not illegal in Spain. Incredibly, however,
almost every other kind of peaceful protest soon will be if a new law
goes into effect as scheduled on July 1.
April 10, a group called No Somos Delito or We Are Not a Crime,
projected a hologram of protesting marchers filing in front of the
Parliament building in Madrid. For the time being, virtual protests in
the form of holograms are not illegal in Spain. Incredibly, however,
almost every other kind of peaceful protest soon will be if a new law
goes into effect as scheduled on July 1.
The
law on public security — dubbed the “ley mordaza” or “gag law” — would
define public protest by actual persons in front of Parliament and other
government buildings as a “disturbance of public safety” punishable by a
fine of 30,000 euros. People who join in spontaneous protests near
utilities, transportation hubs, nuclear power plants or similar
facilities would risk a jaw-dropping fine of €600,000. The “unauthorized
use” of images of law enforcement authorities or police — presumably
aimed at photojournalists or ordinary citizens with cameras taking
pictures of cops or soldiers — would also draw a €30,000 fine, making it
hard to document abuses.
law on public security — dubbed the “ley mordaza” or “gag law” — would
define public protest by actual persons in front of Parliament and other
government buildings as a “disturbance of public safety” punishable by a
fine of 30,000 euros. People who join in spontaneous protests near
utilities, transportation hubs, nuclear power plants or similar
facilities would risk a jaw-dropping fine of €600,000. The “unauthorized
use” of images of law enforcement authorities or police — presumably
aimed at photojournalists or ordinary citizens with cameras taking
pictures of cops or soldiers — would also draw a €30,000 fine, making it
hard to document abuses.
